ONLY an emergency service was available at Liverpool’s passport office yesterday as a three-day national strike got under way.

It means holidaymakers needing swift passports could find their travel plans disrupted.

The strike affected the UK’s seven regional passport offices and 68 interview offices, with nearly 3,000 staff taking part.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said nearly all of its 454 members in Liverpool joined the strike.

However, the office in Old Hall Street remained open yesterday for people to collect passports which had already been issued.

The strike was called by the union in a row over pay, a change in working practices, and the Government’s office closure programme.

PCS branch secretary Paul Jones said he was satisfied with the way the strike had gone so far.

He added: “We have had solid support from our members in the industrial action, with only about 15 staff going into work.

“We have been told that only two or potentially three of the regional offices will still be open by 2013, and one of the frustrations of our members is not knowing what the future is.

“It’s not a great atmosphere to work in at the moment.”